Crack down on rapists in Benue State

The new Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adams Audu has taken his crackdown on crimes to the door steps of rapists and those who take pleasure in defiling unsuspecting women, with the arrest of five suspects in four rape cases. The suspects who were arrested in different parts of the town are currently helping the police in its investigations into similar cases in the state.

Investigations revealed that among those arrested by the Police were members of a gang who allegedly robbed and raped the wife of a pastor(names withheld) at Korinya Mbagwaza in Ushongo Local Government area of the state. The suspects who were said to be ten in number had few days ago, at about 2 am,invaded the residence of the pastor armed with dangerous weapons.

File Photo: Abia gang rape saga

They allegedly robbed their victims of N160,000, cellphones and other valuables after which they raped the pastor’s wife(names withheld). The matter was reported to the police who detailed their men to trail the suspects. Crime Guard gathered that acting on a tip off, one Aondona Tersugh and Aondowase Oryima, were arrested while the police are still investigating the matter just as it is still on the trail of other members of the gang.

Also apprehended were Tersoo Ayari, residing at kilometer three Gboko road and Jondo Aondona who were allegedly identified by their victims as prime suspects when a four-man gang robbed and raped their victims at kilometer four, Gboko road. The gang were alleged to have stormed the residence of the victims few days ago at about 3 am armed with guns and other dangerous weapons with which they pulled down the doors of the houses of their victims.

According to our source, the gang allegedly robbed their victims of seven laptops, 19 cellphones and other valuables. They also forcefully had sexual intercourse with one of their victims (names withheld) after having robbed her of her belongings and valuables. Luckily, the victims of the robbery and rape identified members of the gang who few days after the incident were arrested by the police in Makurdi.

Also arrested by the police was an 18-year-old boy, Terhile Stephen who allegedly raped a fellow teenager(names withheld) in the North Bank area of Makurdi. According to our source, the rape victim was deceived by Terhile who urged her to follow him to his house which was located behind ECWA Secondary School in North Bank, to collect some money in order to buy pen.

However, on getting to North Bank, the suspect allegedly forced her into a friend’s room where he tore her underwear and forcefully had sexual intercourse with his victim despite her plea for mercy.

It was gathered that the alleged forceful intercourse led to injuries and bleeding from the private part of the girl who was rushed to a police clinic in Makurdi for medical attention. The suspect was however, arrested by detectives who stormed the area few minutes after the said act was committed.

It was further gathered that the Police are also investigating a case of a teenager who was raped by a gang of six men who stormed the Benue Agric and Rural Development Authority quarters area of Makurdi town. The victim was said to have been raped in the presence of her father on the 24th of June, after the armed men forcefully broke into their living home, robbed them of cellphones and recharge cards after which they violated the girl.

When contacted the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Daniel Ezeala confirmed the story. Ezeala added that the police was still investigating the cases adding that on completion of investigations, all the suspects would face trial. He stressed that the quick response of the police and arrests made in most criminal cases in the state in the last few weeks was in furtherance of the assurances made by the new Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Adams Audu who on assumption of duties, promised to confront all acts of criminality in the state headlong irrespective of who was involved.

The PPRO urged members of the public to always avail the Police necessary information that would aid the command fight all forms of crime in the renewed onslaught against criminals in Benue State.